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Hello all! I am looking for some book series that take place in small towns. I am a fan of the mystery/crime novels, but I am open to other types of books. As a reference, I enjoy the J.A. Jance Joanna Brady series, in Bisbee, Arizona, Steve Hamilton's Alex Mcknight series, which takes place in the UP of Michigan. There are others, but I think that will give you an idea of what I am looking for. I would love to find some series, not necessarily mystery/crime, that take place in areas that aren't beat to death in other series. How about some in New England, not the Boston area? Upper midwest? Nevada, Colorado, Idaho? Anywhere will be fine, just kind of interested in those that are off the typical path. Thanks in advance!
Joanne Fluke's "Hannah Swenson" series (mystery) takes place in a small town in Minnesota. The books also include recipes as the main character owns a cookie shop when she's not solving murders. I've found as the series wears on, however, the books tend to be more focused on the recipes than furthering some of the plot points (like the love triangle) and there's an awful lot of murders for such a small town.
William Kent Krueger's Cork O'Connor books take place in tiny Aurora, Minnesota. Great series that takes place in northern Minnesota, and he really brings in all the local culture --- folks with Irish, Swedish, and Finnish backgrounds and their Ojibwe neighbors. Start with IRON LAKE.
C.J. Box's Joe Pickett books are fantastic. Pickett is a Wyoming game warden and a very welcome change of pace from your usual "tortured soul" detective. Joe is happily married, loves his kids, and loves his work. But he has trouble paying the bills, has conflicts with the bosses, and can't hit the broadside of a barn with a hand gun. Joe is more Gary Cooper than Clint Eastwood or Bogart. Start with OPEN SEASON.
Elizabeth George, who is the author of the Inspector Lynley mysteries, now has two books out set on Whidbey Island in Washington State. They are YA - I read the second one and now want to get the first since I enjoyed it so much. Titles are The Edge of Nowhere and The Edge of The Water. She lives on Whidbey so the books have lots of local touches.
John Sanford has half a dozen novels that feature Virgil Flowers, an investigator with the Minnesota Bureau of Apprehension and they are set in various small towns around the state.
John Dunning has several books that revolve around an ex- cop turned used book store owner in Denver, CO and are mysteries.
PJ Parrish has a good Louis Kincaid series where many of the books are set in Northern Michigan (others in Florida). Also read these in order, as the main character's story grows.
For good Alaskan settings you can't go wrong with Dana Stabenow, Sue Henry, or John Straley. All three have written long series set in small villages, with consistent characters.
I strongly recommend the Louise Penny/Inspector Gamache books that take place in Three Pines Canada. Wonderful books!
Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks mysteries are set in a village in England - a modern-day, albeit grittier, Miss Marple. Also wonderful, wonderful books IMHO!
I'll be watching this thread closely as I am always looking for good suggestions along these same lines!
Thank you all for the replies! A lot of these series seem like they are great, so I have written them all down and will continue to write any down as they are posted, that way I can have a convenient list for the library/kindle! Seems like Louise Penny is a popular choice, so that may be the first I go with. Keep em comin!
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